Chapter 4

BACK at the hotel, Erwan slowly woke up. He frowned, sitting up, and rubbing his eyes. He realized that the woman he spent last night with was gone. That night was foggy, he only remembered someone was inside of his room expecting it was a woman she met from the bar.

He stretched and something caught his eyes on the nightstand. He noticed a wallet and a necklace left behind. He picked up the necklace and a strange feeling stirred his memory because of the pendant “Ynamorata”. His head throbbed and his chest tightened as a memory flashed something from long ago, something that didn’t make sense yet.

Out of curiosity, he opened the wallet. His eyes widened as he saw the picture of a woman inside. This woman looked different than he was expecting. He blinked with confusion, questioning himself if he was really with this woman last night.

Before he could think further, his phone rang. It was his executive assistant, Sean.

“Good morning, Sir. I am on my way to your hotel.”

“Alright,” Erwan replied, then hung up the phone, setting the wallet and necklace down.

Today was important because this is his official day as a CEO of Alpha Holdings Group. He couldn't afford any distractions. But his mind kept wandering back to this woman.

***

JAZZLYN rushed into the office building of Alpha Holding. She was still in the process of pushing her thoughts aside, but her mind was circling back to the hotel.

“Focus, Jazzlyn. Focus,” she said to herself as she stepped into the crowded elevator. She squeezed herself between employees. The door was about to close when a stunning woman stepped in after her. Suddenly, the elevator dinged telling that it had exceeded to limit

"I think someone needs to step out," a woman said with a sarcastic voice from the back.

Jazzlyn froze, her heart dropped when the people looked against her. She didn't need to turn around to know that they were staring at her skin and the pimples she worked hard to cover it.

Then she heard the other woman whisper. “She's not as pretty as her. Why not let her step out?”

Their glances lingered, and Jazzlyn lost her confidence wanting to hide her face.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to smile and stepped out of the elevator. Her chest tightened, but she would not let them see that.

When the elevator was about to close, a man entered. He was a tall, ridiculously gorgeous man wearing a black suit. The entire room shifted like air was being drawn out as he stepped in, followed by his executive assistant. The man was strikingly hot with his perfect features—sharp jawline, flawless skin and a cold, distant expression that only made him more mysterious.

It was him—the man she slept with from the hotel. Her stomach lurched.

Suddenly, the elevator signaled again as the weight limit exceeded. Two women who had mocked Jazzlyn fluttered their lashes and offered to leave. But the man didn't even look their way. He just stood there, staring straight ahead, emotionless. Not even the hint of a smile to thank them.

Before the doors could close, Jazzlyn’s heart nearly stopped. His eyes locked on hers, she was hoping that he wouldn’t recognize her last night.

After that moment, Jazzlyn walked into the office. She overheard a few employees as she made her way to her desk.

“What's going on?” she asked Diane.

“I heard we have a new CEO. Didn't Don Pablo step down? I heard his grandson is taking over his position,” she replied.

Suddenly, the office became silent. Jazzlyn glanced towards the door just as the guy from the hotel, his assistant and Kevin entered the room. She started to feel nervous.

Kevin stepped forward. “I am personally introducing to you my cousin and the new CEO of Alpha Holdings Group. Please welcome Erwan Alvarez.”

Jazzlyn's breath caught in her throat. Her mind was trying to process what was happening until their eyes locked again for the second time around. She thought she might pass out as she turned pale while looking at him.